SVBC Member Spotlight: Kristal Caidoy

[facebook][retweet]Milpitas resident Kristal Caidoy describes herself as "born and raised in the Silicon Valley, loves to grow vegetables, socialize with community members in transportation, hiking, board games, and cats."She forgot to mention she's also a badass.This SVBC staffer met Kristal last year, when she volunteered to be an Outreach Captain for SVBC during Bike to Work Day 2015, and since then has seen her everywhere in the bicycling community. She is the Chairperson of VTA's Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC), is a member of the City of Milpitas' BPAC, and has volunteered or worked for a number of local organizations including Silicon Valley Bicycle Exchange, Good Karma Bikes, Veggielution, Full Circle Farm, and the Sierra Club. She also is a regular attendee of SVBC's San Jose Local Team.We are happy to spotlight Kristal, a member of SVBC since 2013, and share her thoughts on how to increase bicycling in the region.Will you join Kristal and the other 2,200 members of SVBC? Now is the best time to do so. Join or renew your membership during our current membership drive, and be entered into a drawing for a Pure Fix Cycles Fixed Gear Bike, a one month couples membership at CrossFit San Jose, or two Belay Lessons from Planet Granite.How did you get introduced to Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition?I was introduced to SVBC when I volunteered at the Bicycle Exchange in Mountain View. I wanted to be self-sufficient with bicycles, so I repaired bicycles.What kind of activities and trips do you use your bicycle for?The activities and trips I do when I use my bicycle are: commuting, exercise, socializing, bike parties and shopping.  For example, I meet with friends before a bike party and eat at a local cafe. For commuting, I take BART, Caltrain, and VTA with my bicycle because the last mile or distance is faster by bicycle. For exercise, I keep track of my miles on Strava and Ride with GPS to compare my numbers. I have panniers and swag bags, so it is easy to go shopping for food, clothes and stuff.You have been a regular attendee of our San Jose Local Team. What prompted you to attend? What keeps you coming?I was interested in attending the [Local Team] meetings because I wanted to learn more about the activism in San Jose. My connection with Silicon Valley Bicycle Exchange got me interested in the meetings. I keep coming back to the meetings because of the people and food.If you had a magic wand, what do you think needs to be done to achieve 10% of trips by bike by 2025 in Silicon Valley?I think there needs to be regional investment in transportation funds in Santa Clara County to promote bicycling to 10% trip levels by 2025. I believe funds can help establish the bicycle and transit programs that should be taught in elementary schools in the county. If, I had a magic wand, I would have Viva CalleSJ-like [Open Streets] events in every city of Santa Clara County on a monthly basis. I believe that people will be aware of bicycling as a form of active transportation because everyone will be riding a bike no matter their age, social economic status, ethnicity or gender-identity.Share with us what a dream day on your bike looks like.My dream day is bicycling around Santa Clara County with friends to go hiking at a local regional park.What would you say to someone considering becoming a member of SVBC?It is great to have friends, who love bicycles as much as you do.